Draft and buffing gear



J. HQLENK y fi DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR Filed May 4, 1935 Patented July 2 6 1938 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFlfiE DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR ware Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,780

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in draft and buffing gears especially adapted for use in connection with mine cars.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient combined draft and bufling gear which may be economically manufactured, including yieldingly resisted draft and buffin members and a pin for connecting the draft member to the usual coupling link, wherein the pin also functions as a lever member for forcing the draft member inwardly to actuate the same, thereby reducing the number of parts required to form the complete mechanism and greatly simplifying the construction of the combined gear.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide in a mechanism of the character described in the preceding paragraph a simplified construction, wherein the pin is fulcrumed on the upper part of the bufiing head, thereby avoiding the necessity of a separate support for mounting said pin for pivotal swinging movement.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure l is an end elevational view of a mine car, partly broken away, illustrating my improved combined draft and buffing gear in connection therewith, the gear being shown in partly front elevation and partly in vertical section, the section corresponding substantially to the line I-I of Figure 3. Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View, corresponding substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the gear in part plan and part horizontal section. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the parts in the position assumed during draft action of the gear.

In said drawing, l0 indicates the vertical end Wall of a mine car, H the end sill member, and

I2 a bottom plate secured to the horizontal flange of said end sill.

My improved combined draft and bufiing gear is mounted as a unit on the end of the car, and comprises broadly a support A in the form of a housing; a bufling head B; a draft member or follower C; cushioning springs D-D; a combined coupling pin or lever E; and stop bolts F--F for limiting outward movement of the buffing head and" holding the parts of the mechanism as- 65 sembled.

The housing A includes a vertical plate section [3, which is riveted to the vertical end wall In of the car, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. The housing A further includes vertical side walls I l-14 and spaced top and bottom walls l5l5 5 projecting outwardly from the plate section i3 and formed integral therewith. Above the top wall 15 of the housing A, the plate I3 is provided with a horizontally disposed, outwardly projecting arm l6, which extends beyond the flat edge 0 of the top wall l5 and is spaced above said wall a sufficient distance to accommodate the usual coupling link ll therebetween. The arm H5 is provided with a longitudinally extending, elongated opening l8'adapted to accommodate the 15 coupling pin E and permit rearward movement thereof with the buiiing head B. The top wall H") of the support A is slotted, as indicated at 34, to provide clearance for the pin E in its rearward movement with the buffing head B. 20

The buffing head B, which is telescoped within the housing A, comprises top and bottom walls 19 and 2G, spaced vertical side walls 2l2l and a vertical front wall 22. The front wall 22 is transversely curved, as clearly shown in Figure 25 2, and provides a buffing face adapted to cooperate with the buiiing head of an adjacent car. The buffing head B is connected to the housing A by means of a pair of bolts FF at opposite sides of the housing, extending through the top 30 and bottom walls thereof and through longitudinally elongated guide slots 24-24 provided in the top and bottom walls I9 and 2H of the bufiing head B. The bottom wall 20 of the buffing head is provided with a longitudinally 35 elongated opening 25 adapted to receive the lower end of the coupling pin E. The top wall IQ of the head is also provided with an opening 26, which is of smaller dimensions than the opening 25, and loosely receives the shank of the cou- 40 pling pin E, as clearly indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The openings 25 and 26 of the buffing head B and the opening l8 of the arm H5 are in vertical alignment.

The draft member or follower C is in the form 45 of a block having a transversely curved front face 21, which bears on the inner side of the front wall 22 of the bufling head B. The follower C has a central rearward extension 28 which is provided with a vertical opening 29 50 therethrough. As sshown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the opening 29 has a curved rear wall 30 on which the shank of the coupling pin E is adapted to rock. The opening 29 is of such a length that the coupling pin E may freely Figure 4,

swing from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4. At opposite sides of the enlargement 28, the follower C is provided with spring abutments having rearwardly extending, central bosses 3|-3I thereon, adapted to center the springs DD of the cushioning means. The rear wall of the housing A is also provided with similar bosses 3232 which engage with the rear ends of the springs DD. As shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the springs DD are arranged at opposite sides of the mechanism and hear at their front and rear ends, respectively, on the follower C and the rear wall of the housing.

The coupling pin E, which also serves as a pivoted lever for actuating the draft member or follower 0, extends through the opening 18 of the arm I6 of the housing A, through the coupling link H, and through the openings 26 and 25 in the top and bottom walls l9 and 20 of the bufling head B. As will be evident, the pin E is maintained in its assembled position by means of the head at the upper end thereof, which prevents the pin from dropping through the opening i 8 of the arm it of the housing A.

As will be evident, upon reference to Figure 3, which shows the parts in their normal position, outward movement of the follower C is positively limited by engagement of the forward end thereof with the inner side of the front wall of the bufling head B, thus relieving the pin E from direct pressure so that the same may be easily withdrawn in an upward direction to uncouple the link [7. Inasmuch as the buffing head B and the follower C remain in the normal position shown in Figure 3, after removal of the pin E, the pin-receiving openings of these parts remain in proper positions to receive the pin E so that the latter may readily be applied to couple the link I! to the bufing head B and the follower C, and at the same time operatively connect the parts of the mechanism, the pin being applied by inserting the same downwardly through the opening I8 of the arm [6, the opening of the link I! and the openings of the bufiing head B and followerC.

The operation of my improved draft and buff ing gear is as follows, assuming that a' buffing force is applied to the bufling head B: The head B is forced inwardly, thereby carrying the follower C therewith and compressing the springs DD against the rear wall of the housing. Inward movement of the buffing head is limited by engagement of the rear edges of the top, bottom, and side walls thereof with the rear wall of the housing A. During the draft action of the gear, the pulling force is applied to the pin E through the coupling link ll. During the draft action, the coupling pin E is swung outwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in thereby rocking the pin on the front wall of the opening 26 in thetop of the buffing head B. During this rocking or fulcruming action of the pin E on the buffing head, the follower C will be forced inwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, thereby compressing the springs DD against the rear wall of the housing A. As will be'evident, the buffing head remains stationary during this action. The rocking movement of the pin E is rlimited by engagement of the upper end of the shank of the pin with the front end wall of the slot or opening l8 of the arm 16 and by engage ment of the lower end of the shank of the pin with the front edge face 33 of the bottom wall l5 of the housing, as will be seen in Figure 4,, The

springs DD are thus relieved from excessive strain and the pulling force is applied directly to the housing A.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a combined draft and buifing gear for cars, the combination with a support on the end of the car; of a buffing head slidable inwardly on said support; a follower movable inwardly with said head; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; a coupling pin bearing at one end on the follower; a coupling link through which said pin extends for applying an outward pulling force to the other end of said pin, said pin being fulcrumed between its ends on the buffing head; and means on said support for limiting outward swinging movement of said pin.

2. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for cars, the combination with a support onthe end of the car; of a buffing head slidable inwardly on said support; a follower movable inwardly with said head; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; an arm projecting outwardly from said support, said arm having a longitudinally extending, elongated opening therethrough; and a coupling pin extending through said opening and having rocking engagement with the buffing head and follower.

8. In a combined draft and buffing gear for cars, the combination with a support on the end of the car; of a bufling head slidable inwardly 'on said support, said head having a rearwardly facing fulcrum shoulder thereon; a follower movable inwardly with the buffing head, said follower having a forwardly facing bearing face thereon; means for limiting outward movement of said follower with respect to said bufiing head to space said'bearing face and shoulder a predetermined distance apart; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; a coupling link above said buffing head; and an upright coupling pin having a straight shank, said shankbeing of a thickness to be accommodated between said bearing face and shoulder when spaced said predetermined distance apart and permit movement of said pin lengthwise in an axial direction, said pin extending through said link, the front face of said shank having rocking engagement at a point between the ends ofsaid shank on said fulcrum shoulder of the bllfiil'lg head and said shank bearing at its lower end on the bearingface of said follower.

4. In a combined draft and buffing gear for cars, the combination with a support on the end of the car; of a bufiing head slidable inwardly on said support, said head having a rearwardly facing fulcrum shoulder thereon; a follower movable inwardly with said head, said follower having a vertical opening therethrough; means yieldingly opposing inward movement of said follower; a

coupling link; a vertically disposed coupling pin extending through, said coupling link and the opening of said follower, said pin having rocking engagement between its ends on said fulcrum shoulder and adapted to engage the rear wall of the opening of said follower for forcing the follower inwardly in draft; and means for limiting outward movement of the upper end of said pin.

5. In a combined draft and buffing gear for cars, the combination with a support on theend of Eli the car; of a buifing head slidable inwardly on said support, said head having a top Wall provided with a vertical opening therethrough; a follower movable inwardly with said head, said follower being disposed below said top wall of the head, said follower having a vertical opening therethrough; an outwardly projecting arm on said support above the buffing head and spaced therefrom to accommodate a coupling link between said head and arm, said arm having a vertical opening therethrough; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; and a vertical coupling pin engaged with said link and extending freely through the openings of said arm, top wall of the bufiing head'and follower, and adapted to have rocking engagement with the front wall of the opening of said head and the rear wall of the opening in said follower.

6. In a combined draft and buffing gear for cars, the combination with a buffing head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of a coupling link; an inwardly movable draft member; yielding means opposing inward movement of the bufiing head and draft member; a coupling pin provided with a straight shank extending through said link and operatively connecting the draft member to said link; and fulcrum means on which the front edge of the shank of said pin bears for pivotally supporting said pin, said pin engaging the draft member to force the same inwardly, said pivotal support for said pin being arranged between the draft member and coupling link, said draft member having shouldered engagement with the bufiing head to limit outward movement of l the former with respect to the latter and relatively position the same to accommodate the shank of the coupling pin between the fulcrum means and the point of engagement of the pin with said draft member and permit endwise removal and application of said pin.

'7. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for cars, the combination with a coupling link; of a coupling pin having a straight shank the upper end of which extends through said link and is engageable thereby to be swung outwardly away from the end of the car in draft; an inwardly movable member on the end of the car; means for limiting outward movement of said member, said member having a rearwardly facing fulcrum shoulder on which the forward side of said pin bears and is pivotally supported between its ends'; an inwardly movable draft member having a forwardly facing bearing surface on which the rear side of the lower end portion of said pin bears to force said draft member inwardly toward the end of the car when said pin is swung on said fulcrum shoulder by outward movement of said link; stop means for limiting outward movement of the draft member with respect to said first named member to position said fulcrum shoulder and bearing surface to receive the coupling pin therebetween for axial application and removal; and yielding means opposing inward movement of said draft member.

8. In a combined draft and bufling gear for cars, the combination with a bufling head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of a coupling link; an inwardly movable draft member; yielding means opposing inward movement of the draft member, said buffing head having shoul dered engagement with the draft member to limit outward movement of the draft member with respect to the buffing head and to force the latter inwardly against the resistance of said yielding means in buff; a coupling pin having a substantiallystraight shank, the upper portion of which extends through said link to operatively connect the link thereto; and fulcrum means engaging with and bearing on the forward side of said shank between the ends of the same for pivotally supporting said pin for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, the lower end portion of the shank of the pin engaging the draft member to force the same inwardly during outward swinging movement of the upper end of said pin through a pulling action applied to said link in draft, said fulcrum means and point of engagement of the pin with the draft member being maintained in position in full release of the mechanism by said shouldered engagement of the buffing head and draft member to receive the coupling pin therebetween and permit application and removal thereof in an endwise axial direction.

9. In a combined draft and bufling gear for cars, the combination with a bufiing head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of an inwardly movable draft member; yielding means opposing inward movement of the buffing head and draft member; a coupling link; a coupling pin including a straight shank of substantially uniform thickness throughout its length, said shank extending through the link for operatively connecting the pin to the link, the front side of said shank of the pin being in rocking engagement with the buffing head at a point below the connection of said link with said shank, the lower end portion of said pin having bearing engagement with the draft member to force the same inwardly by swinging movement of said pin during draft action; and stop means for limiting outward movement of the draft member with respect to said buifing head and positioning said points of engagement of the draft member and buffing head with the shank of the pin to permit removal and application of said pin in a lengthwise direction.

10. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for cars, the combination with a bufling head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of a follower on which the bufiing head bears; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; a coupling link; a vertically arranged coupling pin having a substantially straight shank, the upper end portion of which extends through said link; means having bearing engagement with the forward side of said shank for pivotally supporting said pin for rocking movement, the lower end portion of said shank engaging the follower to force the same inwardly when an outward pulling force is applied to the upper end of the shank of said pin in draft, said link and follower being disposed at opposite sides of the pivot point of said shank; and stop means determining the relative positions of the parts of said gear in complete release to relieve said pin from binding pressure and permit removal thereof endwise in axial direction from between the points of contact of said pin with the pivotal support and follower.

11. In a combined draft and bufling gear for cars, the combination with a buffing head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of a follower on which the buffing head bears, said follower having an opening therethrough; yielding means opposing inward movement of said follower; a coupling link; a coupling pin including a head at the upper end and a substantially straight shank extending from said head, said shank extending freely through said link to operatively connect the head end thereof to said link, the other end of said shank extending freely through the opening of said follower and bearing on a wall of said opening; a fulcrum support on which said pin bears at a point between its ends; and means for limiting outward movement of said follower with respect to said fulcrum means to position said opening of the follower with respect to said fulcrum support to permit unobstructed endwise removal and application of said pin in axial direction.

12. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for cars, the combination with a buffing head movable inwardly toward the end of the car; of a follower on which the buffing head bears to limit outward movement of said follower with respect to said head, said follower having an opening therethrough and an inner curved bearing face on the rear wall of said opening; means yieldingly opposing inward movement of said follower and head; a coupling link; an upright coupling pin having a straight shank, said shank extending through the coupling link and the opening of said follower, one end of said shank being engageable by the link and the other end thereof being engageable with the curved bearing face of the follower; and fulcrum means on the buffing head for said pin engaging and bearing on the forward side of said shank between the ends of said shank, said fulcrum means and curved bearing surface being so positioned when the follower reaches its limit of outward movement with respect to said head that the pin is removable from between said fulcrum means and curved bearing surface in endwise direction in a substantially straight path. 15

JOHN H. LINK. 

